An off-duty police officer and a would-be robber exchanged gunfire in Old Torrance early this morning, but nobody was hurt, police said.

The incident occurred at 2:50 a.m. near Carson Street and Cabrillo Avenue when an unknown number of suspects attempted to rob the officer from the Los Angeles police’s Wilshire Division.

It was not known who fired first, but about five shots were fired, police said. The suspect or suspects got away.

“One of our off-duty officers was involved in an exchange of gunfire,” said LAPD spokeswoman Rosario Herrera. “The officer was not injured. We don’t know if the suspect is injured.”

Police from Torrance investigated the robbery while LAPD detectives handled the officer-involved shooting aspect of the case. A police helicopter circled the area for hours this morning.

The area was closed until around 1 p.m. this afternoon while police looked for evidence and shell casings.

“Last I heard they were back doing a walk-through,” said Los Angeles police Sgt. Mario Rojas of the Wilshire Division.

Torrance police also looked for evidence.

“They didn’t hit any property that we know of,” said Torrance police Lt. Dave Peterson. “Torrance officers canvassed the area looking for victims of stray bullets or witnesses, but have had no success.”

Veteran journalist Nick Green is the beat reporter for the cities of Torrance, Carson and Lomita and also covers the South Bay's rapidly growing craft beer industry for the Daily Breeze. He has worked for newspapers on the West Coast since graduating in 1987 from the University of Washington and lives in Old Torrance with his wife and two cats. Follow him on Twitter @NickGreen007 and @BeerGogglesLA.